President Ruto has directed the Ministry of Education to provide KSh5 million to each school that participated in the 98th Kenya Music Festival State Concert held at State Lodge in Bungoma.
Ruto said the funding would enable participating institutions to improve their infrastructure and create a stronger foundation for nurturing creative talent among young people.
With close to 30 schools taking part in the State Concert, the allocations is expected to exceed KSh150 million.
“There are close to 30 schools participating in this event. I am asking the Ministry of Education, as a show of gratitude and appreciation for your hard work and talent, to provide Ksh5 million for every institution and every school that has participated here so that you can improve the infrastructure that will support these creatives going into the future,” Ruto stated.
The President made the announcement as he outlined plans by his administration to strengthen Kenya’s creative economy and expand opportunities for young people to develop and monetize their talents.
National Talent Search
Ruto announced plans to establish the Kenya National Talent Search, a programme aimed at identifying and nurturing talent and innovation across the country.
The initiative will cover various creative and sporting disciplines, including music, comedy, acting, poetry, film, dance and sport.
“The Government, working with the private sector, will therefore establish the Kenya National Talent Search to identify talent and innovation in music, comedy, acting, poetry, film, dance, sport, and other fields throughout the year and in every part of Kenya,” Ruto added.
The President directed the State Department for Youth to work with the Creative Economy Office and the Sports Fund to roll out the programme without further delay.
“The State Department for Youth, working in close collaboration with my Creative Economy Office and with the support of the Sports Fund, must now move with urgency to roll out the programme without further delay,” he said.
Ruto said DP Kithuri Kindiki would oversee government support and coordination for the initiative.
He also proposed that the inaugural edition of the National Talent Search be themed “Kenya Beyond 2030”, aligning the programme with the country’s long-term development agenda which he launched recently.
Redesign of Bungoma Smart City
Meanwhile, President Ruto announced plans to expand the proposed smart city development in Bungoma, directing the Ministry of Housing to redesign the project to accommodate more residents.
“Outside State Lodge here, we’re building a smart city, and I have instructed the Ministry of Housing that the smart city, originally designed for 14 floors, should be redesigned to be 24 floors to accommodate more people because we’re not only building a smart city but complete city development with proper shopping, learning and medical spaces,” Ruto said.
The President said similar developments would be pursued in other parts of the country as part of efforts to promote modern urban development.
“We’re not just doing that in Bungoma but in every part of Kenya,” he said.’
Parliament to Fast-Track Creative Economy Bills
The President also called on Parliament to fast-track two pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening Kenya’s creative economy and protecting artists.
Ruto said the Copyright Bill and the Creative Economy Bill, which are currently before Parliament, would help ensure artists are fairly compensated for their work while strengthening legal protections for creatives.
“I urge Parliament to fast-track their consideration to strengthen the protection of our creatives and accelerate the formalization of the creative economy.”
The proposed measures form part of the government’s broader efforts to create more opportunities for young people to earn from their talents while expanding Kenya’s creative economy.
